Building Takom's Ersatz Stug III (1/35 scale model)

Building the Ersatz M7 Priest / Stug III as used by the German forces in Operation Greif during the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes. In late 1944 Otto Skorzeny was ordered by Hitler to infiltrate American lines using captured US vehicles and uniforms, with the goal of capturing key bridges and destroying important infrastructure. Limited by a lack of captured US vehicles, Skorzeny decided to "convert" German armoured vehicles into US ones. In this case a Stug III was altered to look something akin to an M7 Priest - at least from a distance. Another famous example is the conversion of a Panther Ausf G into an M10 tank destroyer (subscribe to see this in a future video!). For more information about Operation Greif, I recommend this Mark Felton video: • SS Commandos - Ardenne...
This kit is from Takom and is very similar to their Stug kit aside from the extra sprue representing the small number of "M7" parts.
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[@Enetso]

This being made to look like an M7 Priest makes you wonder if the designers had ever seen one before lol Excellent build and video!

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, I know right? Can you imagine the conversation? "Hans, we really need this Stug to look like an M7 - our lives may depend on it". "Sure, no problem....there you go. I've rounded off the corners on the side skirts. That'll convince them."

[@BaDArxz]

From a distance it may fool someone (like 1-2km distance), but up close you’d have to be blind not to notice. The Ersatz M10 at least had a similar profile to the actual M10.

[@BrushQuill]

An interesting topic piece, and loving that you have done it mid conversion. Will they have a pictire of a M7 as their "guide"?

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. Hehe, that's a good idea - a photo on the workshop wall to work from :)

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Brilliant video, brilliant build, brilliant idea!!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Nigel, I appreciate that!

[@t.j.w3561]

Great creativity with the side skirts (especially the writing on the red one & the “metal” skirts). Really enjoyed this!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks T.J, I appreciate that. Yes, I really wanted to capture the ad-hoc nature of the conversion.

[@StephenBrian]

Looks great like the look of being in the process of conversion 👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Stephen. For the diorama I'm going to half paint it in olive drab...that will be a good challenge to see if I can do it :D

[@CPD_Det]

Well done! I always enjoy watching your videos.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you James

[@ModeliteDiorama]

Nice result so far. Looking forward to the Diorama-Project :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. I've just been painting the second vehicle for the diorama, so I am making progress :)

[@Modkits131]

A German tank in disguise. Or cosplay Stug trying to be an American lol. I saw this in the hobby shop a few weeks ago and now regret not picking it up. Thanks a lot for the box review. As well as the excellent finished results of course. :-)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. Yes, it's a good little kit. But like I say, if you have their Stug (or any Stug) you could easily make this with a little bit of stryene sheet. In fact I'll be doing something similar in a future video...

[@lesthiele4921]

That turned out fantastically, you done a perfect job, tracks can at times be a real pain in the rear to get correct, never short change yourself, bext regards from Australia.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Les, much appreciated!

[@robbo1068]

Outstanding job, MN.....the Stug is now ready for the conversion painting. The diorama is going to be something to look forward to, especially the concept behind the story. I checked out the M7 Priest and thought that the Stug conversion in reality wasn't that great IMO. No wonder it didn't fool the US troops for long if at all. Interesting story all the same.

[@ModelNerd]

Cheers Robbo. Yes, it feels more like just making it "not look like a Stug" than actually make it look like anything else. The Panther "M10" was a bit better, despite those very distinctive Panther wheels.

[@Emdee5632]

I cannot see how anyone could mistake a green painted Stug III for a M7 Priest. The latter vehicle is, what, more than a feet higher? I've read and have seen pictures about the attempts of changing the exterior of a Panzer V Panther to make it look like an American M10 tank destroyer. Disguised Panthers seem more effective imho? The kit seems nice - I would probably change it back into a German Stug III variant, too...

[@ModelNerd]

In a future video I'm going to have it half painted olive drab, mid conversion

[@JohnDora9-95.]

Hello from Detroit- very much enjoyed your build on this- the addition of the painting crew is Inspired- excellent. I’ve watched some of builds before- and have just subscribed- Thank You-

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you, John - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to building the diorama - there is going to be another converted vehicle involved too :)

[@EindbaasToad]

You need a lot of imagination to see a M7 in this vehicle. Or really bad eyesight...

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, definitely!

[@user-wf2lm3vi7o]

Could have left it as a Stug and just added a wooden cut out/ frame, would’ve been a more realistic silhouette. Like dummy tanks of Col. Strangeways Northern Invasion Army.

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, it might have looked better that way! I really like the dummy tanks and the "sunshade" camouflages used by the British in various theatres - definitely something I'd like to try in the future.

[@foreverplastickits138]

*You were right to put the muzzle brake on this StuG, the picture shows the vehicle without it is partially wrong and was taken after it has been removed by a soldier (maybe?). Very good work on this good kit, the modified "shürzen" are excellent!*

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate. I wonder if the alternative muzzle brake was a part removed during the conversion process?

[@dirkwerft2260]

Nice Video and build.But would never looked like a Priest.Take care.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@davegiles2344]

Well executed. Looks really good 👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you! 👍

[@josecesar8657]

Really very nice job with everything.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you José!

[@stephenbridges2791]

Very nicely done.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Stephen

[@MrFrackme123]

Nice build, with the add on parts, you could easy use this kit in a post - apocalyptic or Japanese manga diorama.

[@ModelNerd]

That's a cool idea. I would like to do another post-apocalyptical diorama at some point

[@sm70911]

There used to be a painting figure in an old Esci set of German troops - would be amazing if maybe he's painting green over

[@ModelNerd]

Yep, they will be - using the Miniart painting figures.

[@saxon1376]

There’s some interesting and accurate Information on the subject in Anthony beevors book “Ardennes 1944 “ The confusion and paranoia caused by skorzenys men even reached Paris

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, I will try to check it out. I have "Stalingrad" and found it very interesting.

[@ziyorge1280]

Ура) спасибо за сборку данной модели, великолепно получилось)🔥😎😊👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate :D

[@brewman467]

Could not find the link to the Mark Felton video?

[@ModelNerd]

Oops sorry mate - it's there now.

[@brewman467]

@@ModelNerd thanks 😊

[@ahmadesa6475]

Nice vidios

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@warroomscale]

nice STUG from TAKOM :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks :)

[@steve1315]

Can't beat a bit of German armour.

[@ModelNerd]

Or is it American? ;)

[@Eur03]

mark felton 6:43 💀

[@statoilbensin2190]

How much drugs did the americans think the germans used in order to get tricked by this? 😅

[@ModelNerd]

Haha

[@igorsevcov4081]

🤝⚒👍👏

[@ModelNerd]

Cheers Igor

[@rickmoreno6858]

Awesome work uncle model nerd!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Rick :)

[@rickmoreno6858]

@@ModelNerd you're welcome, I q I te enjoy your work! You and a handful of other creator/Modelers are my favorites! I enjoy your honesty with the kits, and those that have issues and your explanations on remeding these issues.

[@MVeminor7]

Hi MN, I've gotta say, this is a fabulous model!! Everything looks so good. The side plates are a great look and the whole painting is very believable. I really like this one and it seems a little different style for you. Great Work!!! The diorama sounds intriguing. See you soon friend.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Michael, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@2ndcomingofFritz]

“Disguise” lol